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Sociology & Anthropology Research Guide

• Books
• Journal & Magazine Articles
• Statistical Sources
• Internet Gateways & Collections
• Reference Sources

This online guide is developed specifically for those doing research in Sociology and Anthropology. It provides a recommended list of resources, which encompasses print materials, electronic databases, and selected Internet resources.

Because Sociology and Anthropology includes many disciplines such as history and psychology you may need to consult resources in those fields also.

Books

Use the library catalog to locate books in the Marshall University libraries. 

The following Library of Congress Subject Headings can be used with the Basic Search by Subject Heading to locate books in the Marshall University libraries:

• Sociology
• Anthropology

For additional, useful subject headings for your topic, consult the following listings, available in the Reference Collection: Library of Congress Subject Headings (Reference Desk)

You can also use the Keyword Search to locate additional books for your topic:

Hint: Use the Keyword Search to locate additional books for your topic in the library catalog.

Browse the shelves in these call number areas to find books devoted to social work topics:

 

• HM - General Sociology
• H - General Social Sciences
• HA - Statistics
• HN - Social Conditions
• HQ - Family, Women's Studies, Sexuality
• HT - Cities, Communities, Race
• HV - Social Work, Social Problems, Criminal Justice
• GN - Anthropology
• GR - Folklore
• GT - Manners and Customs
• E - American History and Culture
• E 184-186 - American Ethnic Groups, Civil Rights

For books at other libraries, search other Library catalogs over the Web. These books may be ordered from other libraries using the Information Delivery Services (IDS)

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Journal & Magazine Articles

The online databases and indexes listed below will provide references to articles (or in some cases full-text articles) in a wide range of periodicals, from news magazines and newspapers to scholarly and professional journals. If you have questions about choosing or using a database or index, please consult a Librarian

Full-Text Databases

• Academic Search Premier
  Recommended
  This comprehensive database features full text for over 1,200 journals with many dating back to 1990, abstracts and indexing for over 3,000 scholarly journals, and coverage of The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and The Christian Science Monitor. It also includes coverage of over 1,700 peer-reviewed journals.
  
  Hint: Remember, articles that can't be printed as full-text or image may be available elsewhere in the Library.

• Kluwer Online
  Full-text access to 750 journals, with the ability to search across the table of contents and abstracts of all Kluwer journals.  Includes journals in the social sciences.  Full-text from 1997 to the present.

• Contemporary Women's Issues (CWI)
  Provides full text access to global information on women. Journals, newsletters, research reports from non-profit groups, government and international agencies, along with fact sheets are easily accessed through CWI. Information on women in over 150 countries is compiled in a single collection bringing together such disciplines as sociology, psychology, health, education and human rights.

• PsycARTICLES
  PsycARTICLES® contains more than 25,000 full-text articles from 42 journals published by American Psychological Association and allied organizations. Coverage includes general psychology and specialized basic, applied, clinical, and theoretical research in psychology, and psychiatric social work.

• Synergy 
  Full-text of over 290 scholarly journals from Blackwell Science and Munksgaard publishers.

• JSTOR 
  Journal Storage project, is a reliable and comprehensive archive of important scholarly journal literature.  Comprehensive runs of over 70 journals.  Coverage does not include the most recent 2 to 4 years.

Indexes & Bibliographic Databases
These databases and indexes will provide citation information (author, article title, periodical name, volume & issue, date) for articles, essays, book chapters, dissertations, and other materials, which may be found in the MU Libraries by searching the library catalog or ordered from another library using the Information Delivery Services (IDS) if the items are not owned by MU Libraries.

• Sociological Abstracts Recommended
  Covers the world's literature in sociology and related disciplines in the social and behavioral sciences.  Covers original research, reviews, discussions, monographic publications, panel discussions, case studies, conference papers, and dissertations from over 1,600 journals and other serial publications.
  
  Also available in print:  Ref. HM 1 .S67

• Abstracts in Anthropology Ref. HM 51 .H249 1988 
  The best index for anthropology - available in print in the Reference Department.

   
• Social Services Abstracts
  Provides bibliographic coverage of current research focused on social work, human services, and related areas, including social welfare, social policy, and community development. The database abstracts and indexes over 1,600 serials publications and includes abstracts of journal articles and dissertations, and citations to book reviews.

• Social Science Index
  Index to articles on all aspects of the Social Science. 

• PsycINFO
  Provides indexing and abstracts for over one million articles in 1,700 journals and  also includes abstracts for dissertations, books and book chapters ranging in date from 1887 to the present.

• Worldwide Political Science Abstracts
  Covers the world's literature in political science and related fields, including social policy.  

• PAIS Decade
  Database chronicling global public policy and social issues.  Provides selective subjects and bibliographic access to periodicals, books, hearings, reports, gray literature, government publications, Internet resources, and other publications from 120 countries. 

• Also see these multidisciplinary databases:  Dissertation Abstracts, Essay and General Literature Index, WorldCat. 

Selected Periodicals

Print  & Online Periodicals 
This is a partial list of periodicals in sociology and anthropology available in print or online format (or both) in the MU Libraries:

Hint:  This page links you to Journals Search, which gives detailed information for all our journals, magazines, and newspapers.  It will indicate if the periodical is available online, in print, or in microfilm, and state the years of coverage for each format.  Whenever possible Journals Search provides a direct link to full-text content, but some databases don't provide a link to individual titles.  In that case you will need to search the database to find articles in a specific periodical. 

• American Journal of Sociology

• Annual Review of Sociology

• Rural Sociology

• Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare

• American Sociological Review

• Sociological Methods and Research

• Sociological Perspectives

• Sociological Quarterly

• Sociological Review

• American Journal of Physical Anthropology

• Cultural Anthropology

• Urban Anthropology

• Anthropological Quarterly

• Journal of Anthropological Research

Does the Library Have Your Article?

Once you have a citation for your article:

1. Try Journals Search

   Look up the title of the journal or magazine that your article appeared in. If the periodical shows up on the list, follow the link to the article database that contains it or find the copy in the library.

2. If you need a book the library doesn't own, you can request a copy through E-Z Borrow. In addition, you can request articles and books through Information Delivery Services. Most articles are delivered over the web at no charge; paper copies are .10 a page.

 

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Reference Sources

The Reference Collection, located on the first floor of Drinko Library, contains many print resources that provide useful background information:

Sociology

• Ref. H 41 .R417 2001 Reader's Guide to the Social Sciences
  Recommended
  Brief articles with bibliographies on social science issues.  2 volumes. 
• Ref. H 40.A215 International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences
  Provides a comprehensive survey of the social sciences with topical articles, biographical articles, and bibliographies.  Somewhat dated - published in the 1960's. 
• Ref. HM 17 .E5 1992  Encyclopedia of Sociology
  Multi-volume set that consists of essays on sociological topics.  Most essays are several pages and include bibliographies. 
• Ref. HM 51 .H249 1988  Handbook of Sociology
  Contains chapter-length treatment of various subjects - deviance, sociology of religion, the family in sociology, etc. 
• Ref. HA 17 .I63  International Encyclopedia of Statistics
  A two-volume set that contains long articles dealing with aspects of statistics.
• Ref. HV 5804 .E53 1995  Encyclopedia of Criminology and Deviant Behavior
  A 4-volume set that contains hundreds of essays on criminology and deviant behavior.  For example, Volume II includes essays on age and crime, crimes committed by children, deadbeat parents, juvenile gangs, and the victims' rights movement. 
• Ref. HN 57 .E58 1993  Encyclopedia of American Social History
  A reference guide that contains long articles on various aspects of American culture, such as immigration, various ethnic groups, gender, religion, regional cultures, popular culture, work and labor, and more.  Multi-volume. 
• Ref. HN 373 .E63 2001  Encyclopedia of European Social History:  From 1350 to 2000
  A reference guide that contains long articles on various aspects of European culture, such as methods and theoretical approaches, periods of social history, regions, nations and people, social structure and more.  Multi-volume. 
• Ref. HQ 76.25 .E53 1990  Encyclopedia of Homosexuality
  A 2-volume set that contains hundreds of short entries on all aspects of gay and lesbian across time periods and cultures.
   
• Ref. HQ 21 .I68 1999  International Encyclopedia of Sexuality
  A multi-volume set that contains information on patterns and trends in human sexuality across thirty-two countries. 
• Ref. HQ 1115 .E52 2001  Encyclopedia of Women and Gender
  An examination of sex similarities and differences and the impact of society on gender.  Articles include aggression and gender, gender stereotypes, social identity and many more. 
• Ref. HQ 1115 .R69 2000  Routledge International Encyclopedia of Women
  A multi-volume set focusing on global women's issues, with articles on culture and communication, education, economy and development, and more. 
• Ref. HQ 1115 .W645 1999  Women's Studies Encyclopedia
  A 3-volume set that covers all aspects of women's studies with short articles. 
• Ref. E 184 .A1 G14 1995  Gale Encyclopedia of Multicultural America
  Features nearly 100 essays on various American ethnic, ethnoreligious or Native American groups. 
• Ref. E 184 .A1 H35  Harvard Encyclopedia of American Ethnic Groups
  A one-volume set that focuses on American ethnic groups - their origin, migration, arrival, settlement, economic life, social structure, religion, group maintenance, etc. 
• Ref. E 184 .A1 S575 1998 Atlas of American Diversity
  A book filled with facts and figures reflecting the ethnic diversity of the United States.  Includes a section that compares race and economic and social status in a variety of ways. 
• Ref. E 185 .E54 1996  Encyclopedia of African-American Culture and History
  A multi-volume set focusing on aspects of African-American history and culture. 
• Congressional Universe
  This comprehensive site includes US Code, Code of Federal Regulations, Federal Register, and Congressional publications, testimony and research. 

Anthropology

• EHRAF:  Electronic Human Relations Area Files
  A multicultural and interdisciplinary collection of material relating to cultures around the world. The eHRAF files are located online. The older HRAF collection is on microfiche and housed in the Media Department on the 2nd floor of Drinko. 
• Ref. GN 307 .E52 1996  Encyclopedia of Cultural Anthropology
  A multi-volume set with over 300 articles on topics like medical, visual and economic anthropology, methods of research, and other related issues. 
• Ref. GN 307 .E53 1991  Encyclopedia of World Cultures
  A multi-volume set that aims to provide accurate, clear, concise and authoritative descriptions of cultures around the world.
• Ref. GN 307 .I44 1990  Illustrated Encyclopedia of Mankind
  A 22-volume set with hundreds of articles that discuss cultures of the world.  A very good index that allows you to search by region, ethnic group, or topic (like marriage or death). 
• Ref. GR 35 .J6  Dictionary of Mythology, Folklore and Symbols
  Provides short definitions for entries relating to world folklore, myths or symbols. 
• Ref. GR 67 .T52 Motif-Index of Folk Literature
  An index of motifs in folk literature.

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Statistical Sources

• Statistical Universe   
  A database of primarily government statistics.  Includes statistics on crime and justice issues.
• Ref. Desk Statistical Abstract of the United States  (Online version available at http://www.census.gov/statab/www/)
  The major source for census and other governmental statistics. Includes a great deal of information on the state of families, women, and children, such as demographics, health, education, and employment figures.
• Ref. HQ 536 .S727 1992 Statistical Handbook of the American Family
  Statistics on families and family issues, such as divorce, child care, etc.  
• Ref. HN 90 .V5 S833 1996  Statistical Handbook on Violence in America
  Presents statistics on violent crime and its victims. 
• Ref. HQ 1420 .T34 1996  Statistical Handbook on Women in America
  A wealth of statistical information, somewhat dated (early 90s), grouped around the categories of demographics, employment, health, and social characteristics.  
• Ref. HQ 796 .S8237 1996  Statistical Handbook on Adolescents in America
  A wealth of statistical information, somewhat dated (early 90s), grouped around the categories of demographics, deviance, health, and social characteristics.  
• Online at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/  National Center for Health Statistics
  Government website that links to all kinds of health statistics, including some with a social focus. 
• Online at http://www.statehealthfacts.kff.org/  State Health Facts
  Kaiser Foundation website that gives a snapshot of the state of health and healthcare in each of the states. 
• Online at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/  Bureau of Justice Statistics
  Best website for finding criminal justice statistics. 
• Online at http://www.childstats.gov  ChildStats.gov
  This web site offers easy access to federal and state statistics and reports on children and their families, including: population and family characteristics, economic security, health, behavior and social environment, and education.  
• Online at http://www.aecf.org/kidscount/kc2002/  KIDS COUNT DATA BOOK Online
  This web site offers indicators of child well-being in various categories broken down by state.  
• Online at http://dir.yahoo.com/Reference/Statistics/ Yahoo's Directory of Reference Statistics
  Provides links to online statistical resources in such categories as crime, children, education, environment, health, population, and more. 
• Online at http://www.lib.umich.edu/govdocs/stats.html Statistical Resources on the Web
  From the University of Michigan, provides links to online statistical resources in such broad categories as crime, sociology, and education, and also links to very specific topics, such as car-jackings or smoking. 
• Online at http://people-press.org/reports/ Pew Research Center for People & the Press Polling Data
  Offers survey reports on public opinion for a variety of current issues.  The "FYI Other Polls" tab will link you to recent polls at other websites. 
• Online at http://www.pollingreport.com/ PollingReport.com
  Lists polling data and public opinion for a variety of current issues.  Choose from one of the categories, Politics & Policy, Business/Economy, or American Scene and you will see a detailed list of poll topics.  You can also search for a poll by keyword.

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Internet Gateways & Collections

 

Sociology

• SocioLog
  http://www.sociolog.com/links.html
  Maintained by Julian Dierkes, this searchable site includes listings of university sociology departments, professional associations, research institutes, and links to international and multilingual sites in a wide range of categories.  
    
• SocioRealm
  http://www.digeratiweb.com/sociorealm/
  Gateway site that Contains resources on many topics such as criminology, social theory, terrorism, ethnic studies, family & gender related topics.  
• SocioSite
  www.sociosite.net
  Huge, searchable collection of web sites from the University of Amsterdam organized into over 150 subject areas; also includes links to journals, data archives, publishers, and more.

• SocioWeb
  http://www.socioweb.com/%7Emarkbl/socioweb/
  SocioWeb is an independent guide to the Sociological resources available on the Internet. 

• WWW Virtual Library of Sociology
  http://socserv2.mcmaster.ca/w3virtsoclib/
  Includes institutions/departments; associations and organizations; discussion groups; research centers; databases and archives; courses and curricula resources; journals and newsletters; software; and more.

• Web Search Engines and Directories
  A library webpage that lists tools for searching the web, like web directories, web search engines, meta-search engines, multimedia search engines, and other  specialized search tools. 

Anthropology

• AnthroNet
  http://www.anthro.net/
  Anthro.net is a search engine that "queries a database of over 40,000 reviewed web sites with anthropological content built by the interests of its users. 
    
• Anthropology in the News
  http://www.tamu.edu/anthropology/news.html
  Links to news stories from around the Internet that are related to the fields of anthropology, from Texas A&M. 
• Anthropology Biographies on the Web
  http://emuseum.mankato.msus.edu/information/biography/
  Over 250 biographies of people who have influenced anthropology, from Minnesota State University - Mankato. 

• Resources in Ethnographic Studies
  http://lcweb.loc.gov/folklife/other.html
  From the American Folk Life Center and the Library of Congress. 

• WWW Virtual Library of Anthropology
  http://vlib.anthrotech.com/
  Huge listing of Internet resources, arranged by topic. 

• WWW Virtual Library of Aboriginal Studies
  http://www.ciolek.com/WWWVL-Aboriginal.html
  Huge listing of Internet resources, arranged by topic. 

• WWW Virtual Library of Indigenous Studies
  http://www.cwis.org/wwwvl/indig-vl.html
  Huge listing of Internet resources, arranged by topic. 

• Web Search Engines and Directories
  A library webpage that lists tools for searching the web, like web directories, web search engines, meta-search engines, multimedia search engines, and other  specialized search tools.

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Updated 10/2002

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